THE Caribtran conference recently concluded in Montego Bay, seems to have finally ignited the regional private sector’s enthusiasm for the creation of a Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME). It has been a very slow burning fuse that has taken nearly 28 years for combustion. It remains to be seen if the necessary perseverance will prevail, that is the same perseverance that made it possible for the tortoise to reach Noah’s Ark.

While welcoming the new private sector initiative, past experience is bound to influence any hope of fast tracking the CSME, coming as it has done, so late in the process. Through thick and thin, report after report, meetings after meetings of heads of governments, over the years there have been clarion calls to speed up the establishment of the CSME. In the earlier decades, progress was impeded by the unanimity rule of voting. More recently, there has been a lack of cohesion among member states symbolised by the “tit-for-tat” aggravations to do with soft drinks into Barbados (Jamaica/Barbados), fishing rights (Barbados/Trinidad), freezone exports that received Caricom treatment (Trinidad/Jamaica) and so on. All of which point to the necessity for a Caribbean Court of Justice with original jurisdiction to deal with such issues. The appellate function of the CCJ will continue to be controversial.

To paraphrase a popular IBM commercial on CNN, “the prime minister is psyched, the regional private sector is psyched, but the question is, given the past historical performance and current financial and personnel resources, can the plan be implemented in time?” For the conservatives among us, a good deal of scepticism exists.

A principal reason for this reservation, is the sheer burden of work to be accomplished in other fora, that is, the FTAA, the WTO and the Economic Partnership Agreement with Europe, which culminate between 2005 and 2008. These comments are not in any way intended to detract from the private sector initiative or the quality of their plan. However, it will take more than the verbal acceptance of “instant harmony” between the private and public sectors, where the concept of participatory government is still viewed with a “jaundiced eye” in the corridors of official power.

Solidarity in the CSME is essential for external negotiations to have a positive outcome. It would be impractical for individual states of Caricom to attempt to negotiate alone. Furthermore, the involvement of the private sector as the engine of economic growth is invaluable to foster the private/public sector coalition necessary in creating the single economic space that is the aim of the CSME.

We commend to the regional private sector’s attention, the Jamaica Trade Adjustment Team (JTAT) as a suitable vehicle to promote public/private sector dialogue. This organisation played an important role in shaping Jamaica’s new trade policy designed to address the advance of globalisation.

From what is known of the yet unpublished private sector plan, it appears to contain some original and constructive proposals. The establishment of a nine-member committee to make recommendations to COTED, could be the same people to attend COTED meetings if and when the Council is modified to accommodate them. Are nine members adequate to represent 15 member states and provide alternates to cover for occasional absentees?

There already exists a quasi-cabinet consisting of heads of government that oversees certain aspects of CSME implementation; for example, PM Patterson is responsible for external affairs. PM Owen Arthur oversees internal affairs of the CSME. Considering the proposal to appoint a CEO of CSME implementation would seem to impinge on PM Arthur’s role.

The recognition of credentials for free movement within the region certainly needs immediate attention “in order to enlarge, as appropriate, the classes of persons entitled to move and work freely in the Community” (Chapter 3 Art 46 Cl 4 (c) of the Treaty). The substantial investments taking place within various member states, that reinforce the CSME integration movement, necessitates that key staff and families would be required outside of their domain to support the investors interests.

Additional emphasis on existing plans for a public education program, while very important, in the past have been hampered by a lack of funds. Perhaps, in addition to funding the cost of a lawyer for six months to assist with the legal complexities, the regional private sector could also assist in this vital area. Such relatively inexpensive assistance could take the form of seminars, lectures at the UWI campuses, newspaper articles, participation in talk and TV shows, discussion panels, and sponsored competitions in schools to improve knowledge about the CSME.

Finally, the key to the success of the private sector initiative is going to be their willingness to participate in the many events continuously taking place between state and non-state actors, after the euphoria of the Transcon conference has subsided. As for monetary union, it took 45 years for the Euro to become a reality. Let’s not try to run before we can walk!